Re-Ranking the AL Lineups After Michael Bourn to the Indians
On Monday night, the Indians landed the market's top remaining bat, signing speedster Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million deal (h/t ESPN).
The signing certainly bolsters the Indians roster, and Bourn joins Nick Swisher, Mark Reynolds and Drew Stubbs as new faces in a vastly improved Cleveland lineup.
Where does that signing put the Indians lineup among the rest of the American League lineups? Proceed to find out.
15. Houston Astros
1 of 15Overview
The Astros have added a pair of capable run producers this offseason, signing Carlos Pena as a free agent and acquiring young slugger Chris Carter from the A's.
However, the latter move cost them one of their best hitters from 2012 in Jed Lowrie, so overall it didn't make them much better for the season ahead.
Jose Altuve remains a spark plug atop the lineup, and Justin Maxwell and Brett Wallace have power potential, but there is simply no star power to elevate this lineup out of the bottom spot here.
Projected Starting Lineup
2B Jose Altuve
RF Fernando Martinez
DH Carlos Pena
LF Chris Carter 1B Brett Wallace
CF Justin Maxwell
C Jason Castro
SS Tyler Greene
3B Matt Dominguez
Projected Bench
C Carlos Corporan
IF Marwin Gonzalez
OF Rick Ankiel
OF J.D. Martinez
14. Minnesota Twins
2 of 15Overview
The Twins focused on improving their pitching staff this offseason for the present and future, and as a result they traded a pair of starting outfielders in Denard Span and Ben Revere.
With no major additions to the offense, that leaves the team worse off than last season as unproven Darin Mastroianni and Chris Parmelee will take their place in the starting lineup.
Josh Willingham proved to be a top-tier run producer last season and Joe Mauer looks to be back to 100 percent, but aside from those two it's a below-average group.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Darin Mastroianni
2B Jamey Carroll
C Joe Mauer
LF Josh Willingham
1B Justin Morneau
DH Ryan Doumit
RF Chris Parmelee
3B Trevor Plouffe
SS Pedro Florimon Jr.
Projected Bench
C Drew Butera
1B Jeff Clement
IF Eduardo Escobar
OF Brandon Boggs
13. Seattle Mariners
3 of 15Overview
The Mariners have had the American League's lowest-scoring offense each of the past three seasons, and they took steps to address that this offseason.
Sluggers Michael Morse and Kendrys Morales were brought aboard to provide some much-needed run production; they should immediately make the offense better.
They also completely retooled their bench and should benefit from the midseason additions of two top prospects: catcher Mike Zunino and shortstop Nick Franklin. They're a team on the rise, but they are still a year or two away.
Projected Starting Lineup
2B Dustin Ackley
CF Franklin Gutierrez
3B Kyle Seager
LF Michael Morse
DH Kendrys Morales
C Jesus Montero
1B Justin Smoak
RF Michael Saunders
SS Brendan Ryan
Projected Bench
C Kelly Shoppach
IF Robert Andino
OF Jason Bay
OF Raul Ibanez
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12. Tampa Bay Rays
4 of 15Overview
The Rays have been carried by their pitching staff for the past several seasons, and despite a subpar offense they have been able to be perennial contenders.
The team signed James Loney and Kelly Johnson in free agency and acquired Yunel Escobar in a trade, as they've reworked their entire infield around superstar third baseman Evan Longoria.
The biggest move, though. was the acquisition of Royals top prospect Wil Myers, who could make a serious impact by midseason and give the Rays another dangerous slugger alongside Longoria.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Desmond Jennings
SS Yunel Escobar
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
LF Matt Joyce
DH Luke Scott
2B Kelly Johnson
1B James Loney
C Jose Molina
Projected Bench
C Jose Lobaton
1B/OF Shelley Duncan
IF Sean Rodriguez
IF/OF Ryan Roberts
11. Kansas City Royals
5 of 15Overview
The Royals made a handful of big moves this offseason to improve their pitching staff, as they look to give some support to their impressive, homegrown offensive core.
Billy Butler enjoyed a career year in 2012, with a .313 BA, 29 HR, 107 RBI and winning the Silver Slugger. At 27 years old he's just entering his prime.
Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer all have the potential to be among the best at their positions, but the player to watch is catcher Salvador Perez. The 22-year-old opened the season on the DL, but hit .301 BA, 11 HR, 39 RBI in 289 at-bats and could be in for a breakout season.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Lorenzo Cain
SS Alcides Escobar
LF Alex Gordon
DH Billy Butler
3B Mike Moustakas
C Salvador Perez
1B Eric Hosmer
RF Jeff Francoeur
2B Chris Getz
Projected Bench
C George Kottaras
2B Johnny Giavotella
IF Elliot Johnson
OF Jarrod Dyson
10. Chicago White Sox
6 of 15Overview
If not for a late-season collapse, the White Sox would have won the AL Central last season. Their competitiveness in 2012 was due in large part to a resurgence by their offense.
Adam Dunn and Alex Rios both enjoyed bounce-back seasons, while Alejandro De Aza and Dayan Viciedo held their own as they moved to the starting lineup.
Replacing Kevin Youkilis and A.J. Pierzynski with Jeff Keppinger and Tyler Flowers is clearly a step back, though, and there is no guarantee that Dunn and Rios won't regress.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Alejandro De Aza
3B Jeff Keppinger
DH Adam Dunn
1B Paul Konerko
RF Alex Rios
LF Dayan Viciedo
SS Alexei Ramirez
C Tyler Flowers
2B Gordon Beckham
Projected Bench
C Hector Gimenez
1B/OF Lars Anderson
IF Angel Sanchez
OF DeWayne Wise
9. Oakland Athletics
7 of 15Overview
The A's made the most of a group of journeyman veterans and unproven youngsters last season, ranking eighth in the league in runs scored despite not having any big-name players in their lineup.
Guys like Josh Reddick, Brandon Moss and Yoenis Cespedes all stepped forward with big seasons, and the team has taken steps to make its offense even better this coming season.
Jed Lowrie was added in a trade with the Astros to serve as a super utility man, Hiroyuki Nakajima was signed out of Japan to be the everyday shortstop and 30/30 threat Chris Young was acquired from the Diamondbacks.
If the aforementioned surprise performers can duplicate their performance, the offense should be a legitimate asset in 2013.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Coco Crisp
3B Jed Lowrie
LF Yoenis Cespedes
1B Brandon Moss
RF Josh Reddick
DH Seth Smith
C John Jaso
2B Scott Sizemore
SS Hiroyuki Nakajima
Projected Bench
C Derek Norris
1B Daric Barton
3B Josh Donaldson
OF Chris Young
8. Texas Rangers
8 of 15Overview
Losing Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli has left the Rangers with a lineup that no longer ranks as the game's best.
They added Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynski to replace some of the lost production, and still have All-Star caliber players in Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz and Adrian Beltre.
The biggest determining factor in how their offense does this season could be the continued progression of top prospects Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar, but they may be hard-pressed to repeat as highest-scoring team in the AL.
Projected Starting Lineup
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
DH Lance Berkman
3B Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
C A.J. Pierzynski
1B Mitch Moreland
CF Leonys Martin
Projected Bench
C Geovany Soto
IF/OF Jeff Baker
IF/OF Leury Garcia
OF Craig Gentry
7. Cleveland Indians
9 of 15Overview
Expected to be sellers this offseason, the Indians have instead been aggressive buyers in signing a trio of impact bats in Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn and Mark Reynolds.
The also acquired Drew Stubbs and Mike Aviles via trade and signed Jason Giambi and Ryan Raburn to minor-league deals as their lineup has a completely new look.
Those new additions join a talented young core led by Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis. It won't be enough to catch the Tigers, but the Indians should be able to improve on their 68-win season last year.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Michael Bourn
2B Jason Kipnis
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
1B Nick Swisher
C Carlos Santana
DH Mark Reynolds
LF Michael Brantley
3B Lonnie Chisenhall
RF Drew Stubbs
Projected Bench
C Lou Marson
1B Jason Giambi
2B/OF Ryan Raburn
IF/OF Mike Aviles
6. Baltimore Orioles
10 of 15Overview
A lot went right for the Orioles to make the playoffs last season, but there is no denying that they have a solid offensive core to build for future success.
Adam Jones enjoyed a breakout season, while Matt Wieters and Manny Machado are among the game's emerging stars.
The health of Brian Roberts is an ongoing question, as is whether or not Nate McLouth can turn in another solid performance hitting atop the team's lineup. All in all though, it's a solid lineup top-to-bottom entering the season.
Projected Starting Lineup
LF Nate McLouth
SS J.J. Hardy
RF Nick Markakis
CF Adam Jones
C Matt Wieters
1B Chris Davis
DH Wilson Betemit
3B Manny Machado
2B Brian Roberts
Projected Bench
C Taylor Teagarden
3B Danny Valencia
IF Alexi Casilla
OF Nolan Reimold
5. New York Yankees
11 of 15Overview
The Yankees lost Russell Martin, Nick Swisher, Raul Ibanez, Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones this offseason and opted not to make a splash signing.
The re-signed Ichiro Suzuki, added Kevin Youkilis to fill in for the injured Alex Rodriguez and signed Travis Hafner to a low-cost deal to serve as the primary DH.
It's an aging group, but there is still plenty of star power here. They may not top the 800-run mark again this season, but the offense should be a plus once again.
Projected Starting Lineup
RF Ichiro Suzuki
SS Derek Jeter
2B Robinson Cano
1B Mark Teixeira
CF Curtis Granderson
3B Kevin Youkilis
DH Travis Hafner
LF Brett Gardner
C Chris Stewart
Projected Bench
C Francisco Cervelli
1B/OF Juan Rivera
IF Eduardo Nunez
OF Matt Diaz
4. Boston Red Sox
12 of 15Overview
The Red Sox freed up a ton of money last August in dealing Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford, and they used that money to add a number of midlevel veterans this offseason.
Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew and Jonny Gomes were all added to the starting lineup, and David Ross and Lyle Overbay were added to bolster the bench.
Those signings certainly won't lead to sustained success, but it should be enough for them to improve on last season's disappointing results and finish somewhere around .500.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF Shane Victorino
2B Dustin Pedroia
DH David Ortiz
1B Mike Napoli
3B Will Middlebrooks
SS Stephen Drew
LF Jonny Gomes
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Projected Bench
C David Ross
1B Lyle Overbay
IF Pedro Ciriaco
OF Daniel Nava
3. Toronto Blue Jays
13 of 15Overview
With six new players among the 13 projected to make up the position players on the Opening Day roster, overhaul doesn't quite sum up what the Blue Jays have done to their roster this offseason.
New table-setters Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera will provide plenty of RBI opportunities for the slugging duo of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, and if Adam Lind can turn in a solid season at DH there are really no holes in the lineup.
One to watch is third baseman Brett Lawrie, who battled injuries last season but has the makings of a future superstar and could take a big step forward in 2013.
Projected Starting Lineup
SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
1B Edwin Encarnacion
CF Colby Rasmus
3B Brett Lawrie
DH Adam Lind
C J.P. Arencibia
2B Emilio Bonifacio
Projected Bench
C Henry Blanco
IF Maicer Izturis
IF/OF Mark DeRosa
OF Rajai Davis
2. Detroit Tigers
14 of 15Overview
The superstar duo of Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, coupled with the emergence of center fielder Austin Jackson as a bonafide leadoff hitter atop the lineup, the Tigers had plenty of firepower last season.
They've only gotten better this offseason, signing Torii Hunter to improve the right-field situation and welcoming back Victor Martinez after he missed all of the 2012 season.
They are as good as any team in baseball from one to five, and if the four remaining hitters can put together at least solid seasons they could be the AL's highest scoring offense.
Projected Starting Lineup
CF Austin Jackson
RF Torii Hunter
3B Miguel Cabrera
1B Prince Fielder
DH Victor Martinez
LF Andy Dirks
SS Jhonny Peralta
C Alex Avila
2B Omar Infante
Projected Bench
C Brayan Pena
IF Ramon Santiago
OF Quintin Berry
OF Brennan Boesch
1. Los Angeles Angels
15 of 15Overview
After spending big to add Albert Pujols last offseason, the Angels opened their wallets again this winter to add the market's top bat in Josh Hamilton.
Those two join budding superstar Mike Trout, who turned in perhaps the best rookie season in MLB history last year, to form perhaps the most dangerous trio in baseball.
Mark Trumbo is another dangerous slugger in the lineup, and the remaining group of Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick, Albert Callaspo, Chris Iannetta and Peter Bourjos are all capable of putting up above-average numbers at their positions.
Projected Starting Lineup
LF Mike Trout
SS Erick Aybar
1B Albert Pujols
RF Josh Hamilton
DH Mark Trumbo
2B Howie Kendrick
3B Alberto Callaspo
C Chris Iannetta
CF Peter Bourjos
Projected Bench
C Hank Conger
IF Andrew Romine
IF/OF Bill Hall
OF Vernon Wells
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